Former U.S. President Donald Trump paused a high-level meeting involving Ukrainian President Zelensky and European leaders to hold a 40-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin disclosed the details, confirming that Trump discussed an upcoming meeting and proposed a trilateral gathering.
The proposal entails a preliminary face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting attended by Trump. It’s anticipated that Putin and Zelensky will meet before the end of August. After the meeting with Zelensky and European leaders, Trump mentioned that he had spoken with President Putin, and a meeting would soon be arranged between President Putin and President Zelensky, succeeded by a trilateral meeting with all three leaders involved.
Trump indicated that President Putin shares a desire to achieve positive outcomes. He expressed his anticipation of seeing concrete progress when they meet, with the groundwork being established in the current discussions.
Zelensky highlighted that their conversation with Trump was constructive and that they covered sensitive topics, including security assurances, emphasizing Ukraine’s reliance on the U.S. and European nations for its security. The trilateral meeting will serve as a platform for addressing all crucial issues.
Trump also stated that the decision concerning the future of the Russia-Ukraine conflict—whether it continues or ends—will be made within two weeks. He doesn’t view a ceasefire as the definitive answer, as he is pursuing a long-term peace agreement. He prioritized the safety of people and expressed optimism about the meeting’s potential outcomes.